JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Northside Coalition, a local civil rights group, plans to light the Main Street Bridge for Juneteenth on Wednesday night.
The effort goes against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ directive that all bridges be lit in red, white and blue only for what he dubbed “Florida Freedom Summer,” which lasts through Sept. 2
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Northside Coalition President Kelly Frazier, daughter of the late Ben Frazier, a longtime Jacksonville activist, said the group wants to commemorate the important holiday, despite the state’s restrictions.
“We are lighting the bridge for Juneteenth in red, black, and green to honor all Black Americans who literally fought for their freedom from slavery; who suffered systematic discrimination and violence; who organized, marched, bled, and died for civil rights; and who persevere even when obstacles are thrown in front of us today that disrespect us and attempt to disempower us,” Frazier said. “We are here to say that we shall continue to overcome!”
The lights will appear on the bridge at 9:19 p.m. and will be on for 19 minutes in honor of Juneteenth.
